Chapter Fourteen #3
He picked up the pace, and it wasn’t long before she could feel another orgasm wash over her. She screamed as she came and he followed her over, groaning deep in his chest, then he collapsed on top of her before rolling to his back.
“I don’t think I made it to two minutes,” he said with laughter in his voice.
“I told you it didn’t matter how long it took; it’s always good.”
Rawley rolled toward her, cupped her cheek, then kissed her lips. “I agree.”
He sat up, got out of bed and entered her bathroom. He reappeared in minutes, then strode to the bed and put on his clothes. Then he tugged on his boots, stood and stomped his feet into them. He turned to look at her.
“Are you going to stay there?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.
“Maybe. You can always come back to bed.” She smiled.
“Don’t think I wouldn’t love that, but I do need to get back to work. I’m going to go out and check the casts.”
“Okay. I’ll wait right here.”
He groaned. “I have to get back to work, Skylar.”
She shrugged. “Okay,” she said as she let the sheet drop to her waist.
“Stop. Damn, I didn’t realize you could be this evil.” He shook his head, making her laugh.
“I’ll be right out. I need to use the bathroom.”
“Alright.” He picked up his vest, put it on, then left the room.
****
Rawley entered the living room, pulled his coat on and placed his hat on his head, then walked out the door and made his way to the prints. They weren’t hardened yet, so he headed back inside to let Skylar know he was leaving.
“Skylar,” he called out and watched as she entered the room, her cheeks flushed and damn if he didn’t want her again.
“Are you leaving now?”
“Yeah, I have to. The casts aren’t hardened yet, so I’ll check them tomorrow morning.”
“Will the snow bother them?”
“I have paper covering them, held down by heavy rocks. I just hope they don’t come back and mess with them.”
“I never thought of that.”
“I could bring one of the dogs over after work. Either one would let you know if someone is out there.”
“I’d appreciate that. I guess I’ll see you later then.” She grinned.
Rawley shook his head. “Yep, evil. I’ll bring one of them here.”
He strode toward her, kissed her lips, then walked out and got into his truck. All he needed was for Dave to find out about this and he’d lose his job.
“Who the hell would tell him?” he murmured.
He sighed as he started the truck and backed out of the driveway. He just hoped the men didn’t come back and disturb the casts.
As he drove back to town, he kept his eyes on the road, not because of snow but because he wanted to make sure those men weren’t out in this. He wouldn’t put it past them. If they were out here today, the weather obviously wouldn’t slow them down.
He arrived back at the office, parked, quickly made his way inside, ran up the steps to his floor, and entered the department. He removed his coat as he walked, then hung it up, along with his hat.
“Rawley? Did you see anything?” Dave asked.
Rawley sighed. He knew he had to tell him about the prints. He looked at him.
“Can we talk?”
“Sure, come to my office.”
Rawley followed him to his office, took a seat on the couch and sighed.
“Remember how I told you about the woman I’m seeing? Those men bothering her?”
“I’m older than you, but not senile. Of course, I remember.”
“Well, while I was out looking, she called me and told me she thought she heard something and thought she saw a shadow. I drove there and found shoeprints. I made casts but they’re not ready.
When I leave this evening, I’m going to take one of my dogs to her place.
I know the dog would let her know someone was out there.
I don’t trust that they might go back and mess with the casts. ”
“Good idea. I’m glad you got more prints. I hope they hold up. You know how casting is in the cold and cold is an understatement for today.” Dave shook his head. “It doesn’t sound like anything keeps them from scaring her.”
“Yeah. She’s going to go to her cabin in the Sierra Nevada Mountains.”
“Will she be back?”
“She said she would. She can’t concentrate on her writing.” Rawley shrugged.
Dave smirked. “It looks to me that you’d rather she didn’t go.”
Rawley shook his head. “I don’t, but I do understand.”
“I get that, but as long as she’s here, it could cause problems.”
“I agree. She doesn’t need the pressure.”
“I’m surprised you didn’t ask her to stay with you, or you stay with her, or isn’t it that kind of relationship?”
“Damn, I should have.”
Dave sighed. “I think that would be best.”
Rawley stood and made his way back to his desk then sent Skylar a text.
I could stay with you tonight. He watched the bubbles, then her message appeared.
Are you sure?
Sweetheart, I wouldn’t have asked if I wasn’t.
Then I’d love for you to stay here.
I’ll be there after I pick up my dogs after work.
Okay.
See you in a little while.
Sounds good. Thank you.
I’ll take sleeping with you any day.
She sent back a laughing emoji, making him smile.
I’ll see you soon.
Yes. He grinned as he disconnected, then got back to work.
When Rawley left the building at the end of his day, he walked across the snow-covered asphalt of the empty parking lot, the lights casting long shadows behind him, he froze mid-stride at the sight of a figure emerging from between two parked cars.
His hand moved instinctively to his holster.
With his thumb, Rawley flicked open the retainer snap.
It was the man he’d seen when he talked to those men. The younger one with a beard.
“I just want to talk,” he said, voice barely carrying across the night air.
“About?” Rawley’s fingers remained curled around the textured grip of his weapon, his face impassive beneath the brim of his hat.
“I’m not armed.” Sweat beaded on the man’s forehead despite the cold evening.
“What do you want?” Rawley’s voice was gravel, worn smooth by years of similar confrontations.
“I want out.” The words hung between them like smoke.
“So, get out.” Rawley shifted his weight, boots scraping against the snow.
“I can’t just disappear. They’d hunt me down because I know so much.” The man took a half-step forward; desperation etched into every line of his face. “You get me somewhere safe and I’ll tell you everything.”
“I’m a livestock agent, not a US Marshal.” Rawley tightened his jaw. “I don’t have that kind of pull.”
“Then just arrest them all and I’ll head north.”
“You’re in on it. You’re not going to head anywhere.”
“A lighter sentence then.”
“You think I’m just going to take your word for it?” Rawley narrowed his eyes.
“Man, I’m only twenty-four.” The stranger looked even younger under the harsh light, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he swallowed hard.
“Old enough to know better.”
“The money was good.” A hint of defiance crept into his voice.
“Where was it coming from?” Rawley sharpened his tone like a blade.
The man shook his head, eyes darting toward the shadows at the edge of the lot. “Not until I have some sort of deal.”
“Everybody wants a fucking deal,” Rawley muttered, glancing at the face of his watch. “It’s late. I’m heading home. If you’re serious about this, come see me tomorrow. Third floor.”
“Where on the third floor?” The man’s shoulders sagged with relief.
“As soon as you step off the elevator, the door is right in front of you.” He removed his hand from his holster.
“Okay. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Rawley nodded, waited until the man disappeared, then got inside his truck. He started it, pressed the heated seats button and sighed when it warmed him.